Ruby Valley Pony Express Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ruby Valley Pony Express Station
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 Location in Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1515 Idaho St., Elko, Nevada |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001110 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1975 |
The Ruby Valley Pony Express Station is a historic building that was once a stop for the famous Pony Express. It was built in 1860 in Ruby Valley, Nevada. This building is very special because it's one of only two Pony Express buildings left in Nevada. There were once 43 stations in the state!
In 1960, the building was carefully moved about 60 miles to Elko, Nevada. This move happened during the 100-year anniversary of the Pony Express. After its move, the station was fixed up to look like it did long ago. Today, you can find it at 1515 Idaho Street in Elko. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
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What Was the Pony Express?
The Pony Express was a super-fast mail service that ran from April 1860 to October 1861. Brave riders on horses carried mail across the country, from Missouri to California. They rode quickly between stations, changing horses often to deliver letters as fast as possible. The Ruby Valley Station was one of these important stops.
Life at the Station
Before and after the Pony Express, this building was also used as a stop for stagecoaches. Imagine people traveling by stagecoach, stopping here to rest! The station was originally on the Raymond and Sally Gardner Ranch in Ruby Valley.
The building itself is made of logs and measures about 11 feet by 18 feet. It has a stone fireplace, which would have been important for warmth. Back then, its roof was covered with sod, which is like grass and dirt.
Moving History: A Careful Journey
Moving a historic log building is a huge task! When the Ruby Valley Pony Express Station was moved in 1960, every single log and stone was numbered. They also made detailed charts. This careful planning made sure the building could be put back together in Elko almost exactly as it was. It was like a giant puzzle!
A Special Dedication
The original spot of the Ruby Valley Pony Express Station was at Station Spring, at the southern end of Ruby Valley. This area is now part of the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
To honor the station's history, a special historical marker was placed at its original site. A dedication ceremony happened on July 19, 1960. Many local people attended, along with students from Cave Creek School. A very important guest speaker was Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren. It was a big day to celebrate this piece of American history!
